Honkai: Strijder
Chapter 429: I Want to Learn
"Hereby, we proclaim the establishment of the One and Only Human Empire! Civilization shall endure, and humanity shall live on forever!"
After the grand military parade and a series of performances, Welt stood before the platform and made his declaration to the entire world.
Welt and countless spectators were filled with fervor and excitement. Yet Sigurd, seated high above in the clouds, lazily let out a yawn.
"Haaah~~"
At the moment, he was merely radiating golden light and overwhelming pressure across the sky, signaling that the emperor who had just assumed supreme authority over civilization was still present. In truth, no one could actually see his figure.
If the occasion hadn't been so formal, Sigurd would have long since returned to the inner city—oh, perhaps it should now be called the imperial city. In any case, he had already wanted to go back and rest.
The performances were indeed splendid, and the spectacle magnificent. But every electronic procedure running throughout the ceremony was transparent before Sigurd's eyes; he knew exactly what would happen next. If Kiana or Bronya had been sitting on his lap for him to toy with, perhaps he could have endured watching it with some patience. Alone, however, he truly couldn't muster much interest.
Seeing everything come to an end, Sigurd waved his hand. A spatial rift opened before him. The rest could be handled by those below. He left on his own.
…
After the ceremony, since it was rare for so many people to be gathered together, a large banquet was naturally arranged.
It was buffet-style. Seven or eight small round tables were set up in the hall to accommodate different groups mingling freely.
Sigurd's table was somewhat special. He had arranged a wide seat for himself in the center. Kiana and Sin Mal sat on either side of him, eating quietly. Bronya stood beside him holding a bottle of red wine, slowly pouring him half a glass at a time.
Seated at the same table were Otto, Welt, and Fu Hua.
Surrounded by two quietly chewing "little pets," Sigurd lifted his wine glass and said calmly:
"The operation and maintenance of the central system will now be handled by the administrative and technical teams. Dr. Einstein can devote her full attention to research. Otto and Dr. Tesla as well. Scientific advancement is the most direct source of power to surpass and defeat the Honkai. Letting geniuses like you waste time entangled in other matters is truly a loss."
"A wise decision, Your Majesty. Back then, I gave Joyce the same advice. As for what happened later… well, you all know."
Otto smiled faintly, raising his glass toward Sigurd in a gesture of toast.
His words caused Welt, Einstein, and Tesla to twitch their brows simultaneously. For the three elders of Anti-Entropy, although everyone now stood united against the Honkai, Otto—being the chief culprit—bringing up Joyce again with that smiling face felt somewhat provocative.
Otto naturally understood this. Turning his raised glass toward the three, especially toward Einstein and the Tesla whose shoulder Einstein was pressing down to restrain her, he apologized:
"No offense intended. I was merely speaking from sentiment. If it bothers you, I'll try to mention it less in the future."
Otto wore a friendly smile this time—genuine, not an act.
Having walked step by step to where he stood now, Otto no longer had any other ambitions. He only wished to witness the fulfillment of his long-cherished desire, and then calmly walk toward his own end. Nothing more.
Welt could sense Otto's sincerity. After everything he had experienced, the current Welt had grown tremendously in both personal strength and philosophical depth. When he looked at Otto now, he no longer felt that foggy incomprehension of the past, but rather a kind of level gaze. And so, Welt could feel Otto's sincerity.
"We all miss Joyce. If he could have been here today, that would have been wonderful… You should mention him less in the future, though. It does make people uncomfortable."
"Very well, Welt."
Otto raised his glass toward Welt, and Welt returned the gesture.
Clink
With the crisp sound of glass meeting glass, the two drained their cups.
That simple act deflated the restless Tesla. Aside from aggressively tearing into her steak, she did nothing further.
Sigurd lowered his gaze, watching the ripples in his wine. He paid little attention to this minor friction. Conflicts were everywhere, but as long as everyone understood the bigger picture and worked toward the same grand objective, they were nothing of consequence.
Then Sigurd turned his gaze toward Welt and Fu Hua.
"Welt will take charge of overseeing the judiciary, cutting away the rotten flesh that hinders the greater cause. It's a cruel task, one where the blade is turned toward our own people. But I trust you can handle it?"
"…It is my duty."
Welt replied solemnly.
Precisely because it was such a brutal responsibility, it required someone with a compassionate heart and firm principles to shoulder it. What must be removed had to be removed, yet those who still had room for redemption could not be slaughtered indiscriminately. Welt would devote himself to this task with every ounce of his strength.
Sigurd smiled faintly and raised his glass to Welt.
"To you."
"Thank you."
Their glasses clinked.
After finishing his drink and having Bronya refill his glass, Sigurd turned to Fu Hua and tossed her a diamond-shaped golden crystal.
"The Hall of Truth will be entrusted to you. Its function is to assess officials and key personnel, and to judge certain stubborn criminals. Within the Hall of Truth you command, very few can lie. But be mindful of restraint, do not misuse it, and above all, do not lose it."
"Yes. I will fulfill my duty with utmost diligence!"
Fu Hua held the crystal in both hands and nodded firmly.
Sigurd raised his glass to her as well—both an expression of trust and a form of encouragement.
After a brief pause, Sigurd called out another name from a different table.
"Durandal."
"Yes!"
The golden-haired Valkyrie, clad in golden armor, sprang to her feet. Caught off guard by being called, her cheeks were puffed high and full—stuffed with the delicious food carefully prepared by Seele, Raiden Mei, Wendy, and Rita.
Durandal was serious and disciplined by nature. Being addressed by a superior, she didn't even chew. Instead, she tried very hard to compose a solemn expression—a chipmunk with bulging cheeks attempting to look serious. The comedic effect was obvious.
"Pfft—hahaha!"
Many of the girls wanted to laugh, but since Sigurd was speaking, they did their best to hold it in. The only one who couldn't control herself was Senti, who slapped the table and laughed until tears streamed down her face.
Then the Book of Fuxi slipped a large frying pan—transformed from a Key of Domination—out from its long sleeve.
Bang!
"Urgh!"
In short, the small interruption was quickly dealt with.
Durandal now stood upright, her crystalline blue eyes focused earnestly on Sigurd.
Sigurd said, "Valhalla will henceforth be under your command. Resurrection is a wonderful thing, but the cost is heavy. Unless one has rendered great merit, applications must not be approved lightly—and unless it is truly necessary, it should not be granted. Study carefully where to draw the line."
"Yes! Durandal accepts the order!"
She spoke with her cheeks still puffed in a slightly comical manner, yet her words remained clear and no food fell out—an impressive skill.
At the very least, Kiana's eyes sparkled brightly. She had been scolded by Sigurd more than once for speaking unclearly while eating. She found this technique extremely practical.
"(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧ Sig, Sig, I want to learn that! I want to learn!"
Kiana tugged at Sigurd's sleeve, her mouth gleaming with grease as she pleaded.
"Tch."
Sigurd frowned. A white handkerchief appeared in his hand. Holding Kiana's head still, he wiped the oil from her mouth and face before speaking in an impatient, faintly disgusted tone:
"If you want to learn something like that, ask her privately. Don't interrupt me while I'm talking."
"Yes…"
Kiana responded weakly. Under Sigurd's stern gaze, she shrank her neck and resumed eating cautiously, consciously making much less noise.
Sigurd snorted lightly before turning back to Durandal, who had been left standing for a moment.
"Sit down and continue eating. Next time, you may finish what's in your mouth before responding."
"Yes! I was discourteous—please forgive me!"
Durandal gave a crisp salute before sitting down and finally resuming her chewing. Her sore, overstuffed cheeks at last found relief.
Sigurd had intended to toast her as he had the others, as a gesture of respect, but seeing how seriously she was focused on eating, he shook his head and abandoned the idea.
"The specific appointments and the arrangements for everyone else will be sent to your personal terminals later, and will also be published through the Central Core system. Be sure to check them. That's all I have to say. Continue eating."
"Yes~~" × N
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